不要 búyào don't!
don't!; must not
How to remember 不要: 不 not + 要 want = don't!.
Characters
How it is used
- Two jobs. As a command, 'don't': 不要说话 (búyào shuōhuà) don't talk - same force as 别 (bié).
- As plain negation of 要, 'don't want': 我不要 (wǒ bú yào) I don't want it. Tone and context tell them apart.
Example sentences
- 你不要那么生气。 Nǐ búyào nàme shēngqì.Don't get so angry.
- 请不要左右我！ Qǐng búyào zuǒyòu wǒ!Please don't control me!
- 请不要大声叫喊。 Qǐng búyào dà shēng jiàohǎn.Please don't shout.
- 不要打扰我工作！ Búyào dǎrǎo wǒ gōngzuò!Don't disturb my work!